It's Boy Scouts vs. Girl Scouts as BSA moves to admit girls

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boy Scouts' dramatic move to admit girls throughout its ranks is fracturing a mostly cordial coexistence with the Girl Scouts and will escalate competition between the iconic youth groups.

The Girl Scouts say they've known for months that the Boy Scouts were considering opening their ranks to girls. They say the Boy Scouts should have reached out to share the information before Wednesday's announcement.

Under the Boy Scouts' new plan, girls will be welcomed into the Cub Scouts next year. A program for older girls that mirrors the Boy Scout curriculum is expected to start in 2019.

Lisa Margosian is the Girl Scout's chief customer officer. She says the Girl Scouts will "double down" with a commitment to empowering girls.

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Both organizations have recently experienced sharp drops in membership.